Wall mounted washing machine and rear panel of the same

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a wall mounted washing machine and a rear panel thereof. The wall mounted washing machine includes a rear panel operable to be mounted on a wall; a tub supported on the rear panel, the tub operable to be filled with wash water; a front panel having an opening formed therein and installed in the tub; a drum rotatably installed in the tub; a cover installed on the front panel and for covering the front panel; a door rotatably coupled to the cover for opening or closing a laundry inlet of the cover; and a cabinet having a front surface and a rear surface to be opened to form an appearance, the cabinet including rear panel connection parts connected to the rear panel and enclosing the tub.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

The present disclosure claims benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0074627, filed on, Jun. 14, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a wall mounted washing machine and a rear panel thereof.

BACKGROUND

A washing machine is a device for separating contaminants from washed fabric (laundry) using wash water and detergent, wherein the contaminants may be separated from the washed fabric by the chemical action of the detergent dissolved in the wash water and the mechanical action of the wash water and an inner basket. Such washing machines may be categorized into a top loading type washing machine, a front loading type washing machine, and a combined type washing machine combined with the top loading type and the front loading type, depending on the method of loading the laundry.

In recent years, wall mounted washing machines have been introduced, which may be installed in narrow spaces such as bathrooms and toilets. In general, the wall mounted washing machines employ the front loading type for better miniaturization.

For example, the wall mounted washing machine may include a cabinet that forms an exterior, a tub provided in the cabinet filled with wash water, a drum rotatably installed in the tub and accommodating the laundry, a drive unit providing power to the drum, a water supply unit for supplying the wash water to the tub, and a drain unit for discharging the wash water from the tub to the outside of the cabinet.

The inside of the drum and tub of the wall mounted washing machine may easily be cleaned using a hose or the like, but water may flow along the gap between the cabinet and the rear panel during cleaning. Since water penetrating between the cabinet and the rear panel may potentially cause an electrical short and/or cause fire thereby, conventionally, a sponge or the like is placed between the cabinet and the rear panel to prevent such water leakage. However, when addressing this problem using this type of leakage prevention technique, it is often inconvenient to add the separate element (e.g., sponge), and water leakage may occur anyway if the sponge or the like becomes damaged or physically degrades over time and machine usage.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, embodiments of the disclosure provides a wall mounted washing machine and a rear panel thereof capable of preventing water leakage between the cabinet and the rear panel.

More specifically, embodiments of the present invention are drawn to a wall mounted washing machine comprising: a rear panel operable to be mounted on a vertical surface; a tub supported on the rear panel, the tub for containing wash water; a front panel having an opening and disposed in the tub; a drum rotatably installed in the tub; a cover covering the front panel; a door rotatably coupled to the cover for selectively opening and closing a laundry inlet of the cover; and a cabinet having front and rear surfaces, the cabinet comprising rear panel connection parts connected to the rear panel and enclosing the tub, and wherein the rear panel comprises: an edge portion operable to be in close contact with the vertical surface; and cabinet fixing parts having a stepped shape and disposed at an end portion on a front surface side of the edge portion and operable to support the rear panel connection parts, wherein further the cabinet fixing parts comprising guide grooves for guiding downward any water leaking through a gap between the cabinet and the cabinet fixing parts and to guide the water below the edge portion. Embodiments include the above and wherein the guide grooves are formed along the edge portion. Embodiments include the above and wherein the cabinet fixing parts comprise, at predetermined spaced intervals, coupling guide protrusions what are operable to apply an elastic force to the cabinet.

Embodiments include the above and wherein the coupling guide protrusions comprise inclined surfaces in a front thereof. Embodiments include the above and wherein a side of the cabinet comprises bolt fastening holes and a side of the coupling guide protrusions comprise bolt insertion holes, wherein the cabinet and the rear panel are bolted together using said bolt fastening holes and said bolt insertion holes. Embodiments include the above and wherein a side of the front surface of the rear panel comprises a control unit installation part, and wherein the control unit installation part is free of any coupling guide protrusions. Embodiments include the above and wherein the guide grooves are recessed and formed toward a center of the rear panel.

An embodiment of the present invention is drawn to a wall mounted washing machine comprising: a rear panel operable for wall mounting; cabinet fixing parts formed around the rear panel; a tub supported on the rear panel and operable to contain wash water; a front panel having an opening formed therein and installed in the tub; a drum rotatably installed in the tub; a cover for covering the front panel; a door rotatably coupled to the cover and for selectively opening and closing an inlet of the cover; and a cabinet enclosing the tub and comprising rear panel connection parts at a rear surface side edge thereof and coupled to the rear panel, wherein the rear panel connection parts are bolted to the cabinet fixing parts, wherein the cabinet fixing parts comprise guide grooves recessed in a center direction of the rear panel, and wherein further spots are formed in a front direction of the rear panel by the guide grooves wherein water leaked into a gap between the rear panel connection parts and the cabinet fixing parts is prevented from flowing to the front of the rear panel.

Embodiments include the above and wherein rear end portions of the rear panel connection parts are spaced apart from the cabinet fixing parts by a predetermined distance, and wherein further the guide grooves are disposed inside a center of the rear panel. Embodiments include the above and wherein outer surfaces of the rear panel connection parts are coplanar with an outer surface of the rear panel. Embodiments include the above and wherein the cabinet comprises bolt fastening holes, and wherein further the rear panel comprises bolt insertion holes for coupling together the cabinet and the rear panel, and wherein the cabinet and the rear panel are coupled to each other in front of the guide grooves.

An embodiment of present invention is drawn to a rear panel of a wall mounted washing machine, the wall mounted washing machine including: a cabinet comprising rear panel connection parts formed along a rear surface thereof; and a tub operable to be filled with wash water, wherein the rear panel is operable to be mounted on the cabinet, the rear panel comprising: an edge portion operable to be fixed to a wall; and cabinet fixing parts formed in a stepped shape and disposed at an end portion on a front surface side of the edge portion and operable to support the rear panel connection parts, wherein each of the cabinet fixing parts comprises: a first surface formed substantially parallel to the wall; a second surface extended forward at an angle with the first surface; and a guide groove recessed and formed toward a center of the rear panel between the first surface and the second surface. Embodiments include the above and wherein the first surface and the second surface are disposed in a vertical orientation.

Embodiments include the above and wherein the rear panel connection parts are disposed spaced apart from the first surface, and the guide grooves are disposed inside a center direction of the rear panel. Embodiments include the above and wherein a front of the second surface is provided with a coupling guide protrusion to apply an elastic force to the cabinet. Embodiments include the above and wherein the coupling guide protrusion comprises an inclined surface in a front thereof. Embodiments include the above and wherein the guide grooves are formed along a periphery of the edge portion. Embodiments include the above and wherein a front surface of the edge portion comprises a control unit installation part where a control unit is located, and wherein further the guide grooves are formed with a spot on the second surface to prevent water from flowing into the control unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a wall mounted washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the door of FIG. 1 is opened.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the tub and rear panel of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In addition, in the description of the present disclosure, the detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted if they would unnecessarily obscure the features of the subject matter of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a wall mounted washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure, FIG. 2 is a view showing a state where a door in FIG. 1 is opened, FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the tub and the rear panel of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, a wall-mounted washing machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 100 having a front surface and a rear surface opened and forming an outer appearance, a door 200 disposed on one side of the cabinet 100 and for opening or closing the opened front surface of the cabinet 100, a cover 300 connected to the door 200 for opening and closing the door 200, a front panel 400 disposed on the rear surface of the cover 300, a detergent container 500 housed in one side of the front panel 400 and accommodating detergent and conditioner, a drum 600 in which laundry is stored, a tub 700 which surrounds the drum 600 and is filled with wash water, and a rear panel 800 mounted on the wall. Here, the rear surface means a surface close to the wall, and the front surface means a surface opposite to the rear surface.

Specifically, the cabinet 100 may be provided in an empty form. Also, the cabinet 100 may include a power button 102 for controlling a power supply, a cover connection unit 104 connected to the cover 300, and a rear panel connection unit 106 connected to the rear panel 800.

The power button 102 may be provided on one side of the cabinet 100 to control whether the washing machine 10 is turned on or off. The power button 102 may be provided on one side of the front surface of the cabinet 100 to be easily controlled by the user. Here, in this embodiment, the power button 102 is provided on the lower surface of the front surface of the cabinet 100. However, the position of the power button 102 is not limited thereto, and may be provided on the left or right of the front surface of the cabinet 100, for example, or in other well known positions.

The cabinet 100 may include a cover connection unit 104 connected to the cover 300. The cover connection unit 104 may correspond to an edge of the opened front surface of the cabinet 100 and may have a smaller diameter than the diameter of the cover 300 so that the cover 300 is not detached from the cabinet 100. Specifically, the cover 300 may be inserted into the cabinet 100 from the rear surface to the front surface side. In this case, since the diameter of the cover connection unit 104 is smaller than the diameter of the cover 300, the cover 300 may be fitted into the cover connection unit 104, so that the cover 300 may not be separated from the cabinet 100.

The cabinet 100 may include a rear panel connecting unit 106 connected to the rear panel 800. The rear panel connecting unit 106 may correspond to the opened rear edge of the cabinet 100 and may have a shape that corresponds to the shape of the rear panel 800. The cabinet 100 may be bolted to the rear panel 800 and for this purpose, a plurality of bolt fastening holes may be formed in the rear panel connecting portion 106

Meanwhile, the door 200 may be provided on the front surface of the cabinet 100. The door 200 is provided for loading and unloading laundry, and may include a door inner frame 230 and a door outer frame 240. Specifically, the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240 may be bolted in such way to offer a predetermined space therebetween, and each may be provided in a circular shape having a diameter corresponding to the cover connection unit 104. In this case, the door inner frame 230 may be in contact with the cover connection unit 104, and the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240 may completely shield the cover 300 connected to the cabinet 100.

The door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240 may include a door hinge connection unit 232 for connection with the cover 300. The door hinge connecting unit 232 is provided at one side of the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240 and may provide a space for accommodating a door hinge 360 of the cover 300 to be described later.

A display 202 may be provided in a space between the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240. The display 202 is capable of outputting predetermined information to the user, and is provided with a front surface exposed to the outside of the door outer frame 240. That is, the door outer frame 240 may include a hole (not shown) or may be formed of a transparent material so that the display 202 may be viewed. In this case, the display 202 may include a touch panel capable of inputting or outputting information, and the user may view the panel to confirm information such as the operating state through the display 202, and also use the panel to perform operations of the wall-mounted washing machine 10 via touch interactions. For example, the user may select a process such as washing and rinsing of the laundry by performing a touch interaction with respect to the display 202, and confirm the remaining washing time or the like through the display 202.

The display 202 exposed to the exterior of the door outer frame 240 and the door outer frame 240 may be protected through a protective glass 204. The protective glass 204 is transparently provided on the front surface of the door outer frame 240 so that the user may identify the display 202. In this case, the protective glass 204 may be provided with the same diameter as the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240.

A hole (not shown) may be provided on one side of the protective glass 204, and the door opening button 210 may be exposed to the outside through the hole (not shown). The door opening button 210 may be provided in the door outer frame 240 for opening or closing the interior of the cabinet 100 using an electronic opening and closing system and may be exposed to the outside through a hole of the protective glass 204.

In addition, the door 200 may include a door opening unit 250 and a door hanging unit 260. The door opening unit 250 and the door hanging unit 260 may protrude rearward of the door inner frame 230 and may be in contact with and engaged with one side of the cover 300. Specifically, the door opening unit 250 serves as an opening/closing assistant and may have an elastic force. For example, the door opening unit 250 may include a spring and may act as a support for opening the door 200 through the elastic force of the spring. For example, when the door 200 is closed, the door opening unit 250 may be compressed and inserted into a groove (not shown) provided on one side of the cover 300. When the user operates the door opening button 210 to open the door 200, the door opening unit 250 may be released from one side of the cover 300, and may be in contact with the bottom surface of the groove (not shown) provided on one side of the cover 300 in a relaxed state. That is, a space is provided between the door 200 and the cover 300 by the relaxed length of the door opening unit 250, thereby preventing the door 200 from being automatically closed.

The door opening unit 250 may be a pusher stem assembly that may be supported by the spring and located within a guide structure formed in the door inner frame 230 or repeatedly perform projecting by a linear movement through a predetermined stroke range.

The door hanging unit 260 may be provided at a predetermined distance from the door opening unit 250 and may be provided in the shape of a hook partially protruding from the door inner frame 230. The protruding portion of the door hanging unit 260 may be coupled to a door lock unit 330 of the cover 300 to be described later, and thus the door 200 may be closed.

In summary, the door 200 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be opened through a door opening button 210. When the user operates the door opening button 210, the door opening unit 250 and the door hanging unit 260 may be released from the cover 300 so that the door 200 may open the cover 300. In this case, the door opening unit 250 having an elastic force may be relaxed and provided on one side of the cover 300, and thus a predetermined gap is provided between the door 200 and the cover 300. Therefore the door 200 may be prevented from closing.

In addition, the user may close the door 200 by applying pressure to the door 200 toward the cover 300 side. To this end, the user may press one side of the outermost protective glass 204 of the door 200 so that the door opening unit 250 may be compressed and become received in the groove (not shown) of the cover 300 and the protruding portion of the door hanging unit 260 may be coupled to the door hanging unit 330 of the cover 300. That is, the door 200 may be opened and closed without a separate handle.

A center side of the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240 may be opened and the door glass 280 may be provided at the opened center side. The door glass 280 allows the user to view the laundry inside the machine from the outside of the washing machine 10 and may be fitted to the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240. In this case, the door glass 280 may be formed to protrude rearward, and the protruded side of the door glass 280 may be fitted to the opened side of the cover 300.

Meanwhile, the door 200 may be rotatably connected to the cover 300. The cover 300 is provided to enclose the front panel 400 and may include a laundry inlet 302 for loading the laundry, a detergent container loading port 304 for loading a detergent container 500, and a power processing unit 306 for controlling the button 102.

The user may load laundry through the laundry inlet 302. The laundry inlet 302 may be provided to have a predetermined diameter. In this case, the diameter of the laundry inlet 302 may correspond to the size of the protruding portion of the door glass 280. Thus, when the door 200 is closed, the door glass 280 may block the laundry inlet 302, and when the user opens the door 200, the door glass 280 is released from the laundry inlet 302 to allow laundry loading through the laundry inlet 302.

A detergent container loading port 304, which may load the detergent container 500, may be provided on the upper side of the laundry inlet 302. In this case, the detergent container loading port 304 may correspond to the shape of the detergent container 500.

The cover 300 may have a laundry inlet 302 at its center and may have a circular shape as a whole. Further, the cover 300 may be shaped such that one side protrudes downward. In this case, the power processing unit 306 may be provided in a protruding portion downward. The power processing unit 306 may be a PCB substrate connected to the power button 102 to control whether the power is turned on or off according to the operation of the power button 102 protruding from the outside of the case 100.

Meanwhile, the cover 300 may include a door hanging unit 330 located at a position corresponding to the other door hanging unit 260. The door hanging unit 330 is coupled to the hook-shaped door hanging unit 260 and may include a groove corresponding to the shape of the door hanging unit 260. Thus, as the door hanging unit 260 is coupled to the other door hanging unit 330, so that the door 200 may close the laundry inlet 302.

Also, the cover 300 may include a door hinge 360 at a location corresponding to the door hinge connection unit 232. The door hinge 360 may be opened while one side of the door 200 and one side of the cover 300 may be connected to each other, and the one side of the door hinge 360 may be received in the door hinge connection unit 232. Specifically, the door hinge 360 may be formed in a shape of a long curved panel in a vertical direction on one side of the laundry inlet 302, and may be partially protruded forward such that the door 200 may be rotated and connected to the door hinge connection unit 232. That is, the door 200 may be rotatable along the protruding portion in front of the door hinge 360.

Meanwhile, a front panel 400 may be provided on the rear surface of the cover 300. The front panel 400 may be coupled to the tub 700 and may include a shield unit 410 shielding a space between the drum 600 and the tub 700, a detergent container receiving unit 420 receiving the detergent container 500, a detergent container gasket 430 which provides a seal at a portion coupled with the detergent container 500, a fitting 440 for supplying water into the detergent container 500, a door gasket 450 which provides a seal at a portion in contact with the door 200, and a water supply valve assembly 480 for receiving wash water from an external water supplying source.

The shield unit 410 may shield a space generated between the drum 600 and the tub 700 and may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the cover 300. That is, it may have the same diameter as the cover 300 and have an opening corresponding to the laundry inlet 302 provided on the center side thereof. In this regard, the opening of the shield unit 410 may be smaller than the diameter of the drum 600, so that the space between the drum 600 and the tub 700 may be shielded.

The detergent container receiving unit 420 may be provided at one side of the shield unit 410 to receive the detergent container 500. The detergent container receiving unit 420 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the detergent container 500 and may be in communication with the detergent container loading port 304 of the cover 300. That is, the detergent container 500 may be received in the detergent container receiving unit 420 via the detergent container loading port 304 of the cover 300.

The detergent container receiving unit 420 may include a detergent container gasket 430 that is pressurized by the detergent container 500. The detergent container gasket 430 may be disposed around the end of the detergent container receiving unit 420 to seal the detergent container 500 and may be composed of a rubber material. That is, the detergent, the conditioner, and the wash water supplied to the detergent container 500 are prevented from leaking to the outside through the detergent container gasket 430.

At least one fitting 440 may be provided on the top of the detergent container receiving unit 420. The fitting 440, which is connected to a water supply valve assembly 480 connected to an external water supply source, may supply the wash water into the detergent container 500. Thus, the wash water supplied to the drum 600 and the tub 700 may include the dissolved detergent or conditioner because the wash water is supplied into the drum 600 and the tub 700 through the detergent container 500.

Meanwhile, the opening of the shield unit 410 may include a door gasket 450 which is pressed by a door glass 280 of the door 200. The door gasket 450 may be disposed at the opening end of the shield unit 410 (for example, at the annular end of the opening) to hermetically fix the door glass 280, and it may be composed of a rubber material or the like. Thus, when the door 200 is closed, the door glass 280 penetrating the laundry inlet 302 of the cover 300 presses the door gasket 450, and therefore the wash water inside the drum 600 and the tub 700 will not leak outside the door 200.

The fitting 440 may be supplied with wash water through a water supply valve assembly 480. The water supply valve assembly 480 may be connected to an external water supply source and may selectively supply the wash water to the detergent container 550 through the fitting 440. The water supply valve assembly 480 may be a three-way valve and two of the supply flow paths extending from the water supply valve assembly 480 may be connected to the fitting 440 connected to the detergent container 500 and one of them may supply the wash water to the drum 600 directly through the door gasket 450.

The detergent container 500 may accommodate detergent and conditioner and may include a detergent container handle 502, a detergent input space 504 in which detergent is loaded, and a conditioner input space 506 in which a conditioner is loaded.

The detergent container handle 502 may protrude forward and may be exposed to the outside of the cover 300. The user thus may grasp the detergent container handle 502 after opening the door 200, allowing the detergent container 500 to be unloaded or inserted from the detergent container receiving unit 420. In this embodiment, although the detergent container handle 502 is extended in the vertical direction and provided at the center of the front surface of the detergent container 500, the detergent container handle 502 is not limited thereto. For example, the detergent container receiving unit 420 may be extended in the horizontal direction and provided on the front surface of the detergent container 500.

The detergent container 500 may be partitioned based on the center of the interior and include a detergent input space 504 and a conditioner input space 506 which may contain detergent and conditioner, respectively. In this connection, the fitting 440 may be arranged to correspond with the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner input space 506, and the detergent and conditioner in the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner input space 506 may be supplied with the wash water. Specifically, the user may draw the detergent container 500 from the detergent container receiving unit 420 after opening the door 200 and may fill detergent and conditioner into the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner input space 506, respectively. The detergent container 500 filled with the detergent and the conditioner may be inserted again into the detergent container receiving unit 420, and depending on the washing process, the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner input space 506 may be supplied with the wash water. Accordingly, the wash water including detergent or conditioner may be selectively supplied to the drum 600 and the tub 700.

Meanwhile, the front panel 400 may be connected to the drum 600. The drum 600 for receiving the laundry may include a drum inlet portion 610 on the front surface and a spider 680 on the rear surface. In this case, a plurality of holes may be formed around the drum 600 for fluid communication with the tub 700.

A drum inlet portion 610 may correspond to the opened portion of the shield unit 410. In this regard, the drum inlet portion 610 may have a diameter smaller than the entire diameter of the drum 600, and the drum inlet portion 610 may be fitted into the opened portion of the shield unit 410, so that front panel 400 and the drum 600 may be connected to each other. Thus, the laundry may be loaded into the drum 600 via the laundry inlet 302 of the cover 300 and the opened portion of the front panel 400.

The drum 600 may be rotated through a spider 680. The spider 680 may rotate in response to a driving force from a driving motor 910 (to be described later). The spider 680 may be separate from the drum 600 and also coupled to the rear surface of the drum 600. In this case, a groove corresponding to the shape of the spider 680 may be formed on the rear surface of the drum 600 so that the spider 680 may be seated.

The spider 680 may include a plurality of arms extending in different directions with a constant gap at the center. For example, the spider 680 may include an arm extending in three directions by a length corresponding to the radius of the drum 600, and each arm may be disposed at a 120-degree gap. Further, the center of the spider 680 may be fixed to a second pulley 914 (to be described later) through a drum rotation axis 916 to be described later, and thus both the drum 600 coupled to the spider 680 and the spider 680 may be rotated. A specific method of rotating the drum 600 will be described later.

A tub 700 in which the wash water is filled may be provided outside the drum 600. The tub 700 may have a shape corresponding to the drum 600 and may be formed with a diameter larger than a diameter of the drum 600 by a predetermined length. Accordingly, the tub 700 may be arranged apart from the drum 600 by a predetermined gap. In addition, the wash water supplied into the tub 700 may flow into the drum 600 through a plurality of holes formed around the drum 600. Similarly, the inner wash water of the drum 600 may flow into the tub 700 through the plurality of holes formed around the drum 600. In this regard, the drum 600 and the tub 700 may be provided in a cylindrical shape, but of course are not limited thereto.

Further, the tub 700 may include a heater 702 to heat the wash water. Specifically, a groove may be formed on the inner side of the tub 700 to receive the heater 702, and a heater 702 may be provided on the inner side of the tub 700 in a detachable manner. Thus, the heater 702 may heat the wash water filled in the tub 700.

In addition, the tub 700 may be integrated with the rear panel 800. The rear panel 800 is operable to be mounted on a wall or other suitable vertical surface, and may include anchor connection parts 802 to which an anchor for coupling to the wall is connected, an edge portion 803 fixed to the wall, cabinet fixing parts 804 for fixing the cabinet 100, coupling guide protrusions 805 formed at predetermined distances in the cabinet fixing part 804, a pressure sensor 806 for detecting the water level in the tub 700, bolt insertion holes 807 for coupling with the cabinet 100, cutouts 808 provided on one sides of the cabinet fixing parts 804, and a control unit installation part 809 for installing the control unit 810.

Specifically, the tub 700 and the rear panel 800 may be integrally injection molded, and the tub 700 may protrude from the front of the rear panel 800. The rear surface of the rear panel 800 may be mounted on the wall via a separate anchor. The anchor may be coupled to the wall through an anchor connection unit 802 and may be provided on the rear surface of the rear panel 800 for stable engagement. That is, the plurality of anchors may mount the rear panel 800 on the wall. In this case, since the tub 700 and the rear panel 800 are integrally provided, a separate damper or an elastic member for supporting the tub 700 is not required. Consequently, the number of parts may be reduced, and the size of the washing machine 10 may be likewise reduced.

The rear panel 800 may include an edge portion 803 which is in close contact with the wall. The edge portion 803 may have a predetermined thickness, and the rear surface thereof may be in close contact with the wall. In this case, a cabinet fixing part 804 formed in a stepped shape may be provided on the end portion on the front surface side of the edge portion 803.

The cabinet fixing parts 804 are formed along the periphery of the rear panel 800 to support the rear panel connection parts 106. Each of the cabinet fixing parts 804 includes a first surface 804 a formed substantially parallel to the wall, a second surface 804 b extending forward to form a predetermined angle with the first surface 804 a, and a water leak guide groove 804 b formed between the first surface 804 a and the second surface 804 b to be recessed toward the center side of the rear panel 800.

Specifically, the rear panel connection parts 106 are supported on the cabinet fixing parts 804, so that the cabinet 100 and the rear panel 800 may be combined together. In this case, when the rear panel connection parts 106 are tightly coupled to the cabinet fixing parts 804, separating the cabinet 100 from the rear panel 800 may be difficult. Therefore, when the cabinet 100 is detached from the rear panel 800 due to a failure of the washing machine 10, this situation may cause a problem. In order to prevent this, the rear panel connection parts 106 may be provided at predetermined spatial intervals on the first surfaces 804 a of the cabinet fixing parts 804. That is, the cabinet 100 and the rear panel 800 may be easily separated from each other.

The first surfaces 804 a may be provided in the end portion on the front surface side of the edge portions 803 and may be formed substantially parallel to the wall. In this case, the first surfaces 804 a may be provided at a predetermined distance from the rear end portions of the rear panel connection parts 106 and may have a height greater than the thickness of the cabinet 100. In addition, the outer surfaces of the rear panel connection parts 106 may be coplanar with the outer surfaces of the first surfaces 804 a. That is, the outer surfaces of the rear panel connection parts 106 may be coplanar with the outer surface of the rear panel 800.

The first surfaces 804 a may be provided at an angle with the second surfaces 804 b. The second surfaces 804 b may be provided to extend forward at one end of the first surfaces 804 a and may be formed substantially perpendicular to the first surfaces 804 a. Thus, the second surfaces 804 b may be provided parallel to the inner surfaces of the rear panel connection parts 106.

Water leak guide grooves 804 c may be disposed between the first surfaces 804 a and the second surfaces 804 b. The water leak guide grooves 804 c may be recessed and formed toward the center of the rear panel 800 at the intersections of the first surfaces 804 a and the second surfaces 804 b, and may be disposed inside the center of the rear panel 800 of the spaced apart portion of the first surfaces 804 a and the rear panel connection parts 106. In this case, the water leak guide grooves 804 c may be formed entirely along the edge portion 803 and may form spots in the forward direction of the rear panel 800.

Specifically, when the cabinet 100 and the rear panel 800 are coupled to each other, the external water is introduced into the interior of the cabinet 100 through the separated portion of the rear panel connection parts 106 and the cabinet fixing parts 804. In this case, any water infiltrated between the rear panel connection parts 106 and the cabinet fixing parts 804 may not exceed the spot in the forward direction of the rear panel 800 formed by the water leak guide grooves 804 c, and may be guided downwardly along the edge portion 803 along the inside of the guide grooves 804 c. Thus, any leaking water will advantageously not affect the electrical components disposed around the tub 700

In addition, the cabinet fixing parts 804 may be provided with coupling guide protrusions 805 at positions defined by a predetermined spatial interval. The coupling guide protrusions 805 may be disposed as plural ones to protrude from the second surfaces 804 b and may apply an elastic force to the cabinet 100. Specifically, when the rear panel connection parts 106 of the cabinet 100 are fitted into the cabinet fixing parts 804, the rear panel connection parts 106 are flared by exerting an elastic force outward due to the protruding coupling guide protrusions 805. Thus, the rear panel connection parts 106 may be inserted into the cabinet fixing parts 804 in a flared state, through which the cabinet 100 and the rear panel 800 may be securely fitted. In this case, inclined portions 805 a may be provided in front of the coupling guide protrusions 805 to facilitate the engagement of the rear panel connection parts 106.

The cabinet 100 may be bolted after the cabinet 100 is fitted to the cabinet fixing parts 804 of the rear panel 800. Specifically, after the rear panel connection parts 106 are connected to the cabinet fixing parts 804, fastening members such as bolts pass through the bolt fastening holes 107 of the cabinet 100 to be inserted to the bolt insertion holes 807 of the rear panel 800. In this case, the bolt insertion holes 807 may be provided at one side of the second surfaces 804 b and disposed at the front of the water leak guide grooves 804 c. Although two bolt insertion holes 807 are provided on the upper and lower sides of the rear panel 800 at predetermined intervals in the present embodiment, the numbers and positions of the bolt insertion holes 807 may vary as suitably needed.

A pressure sensor 806 and cutouts 808 may be provided at one side of the cabinet fixing parts 804. In this case, each of the cutouts 808 may be provided at a position that does not overlap the bolt insertion hole 807.

The front surface of the rear panel 800 may be provided with a control unit installation part 809 for installing the control unit 810. The control unit installation part 809 is to install therein a control unit 810 (as described later) so that the second surface 804 b, on the side where the control unit installation part 809 is provided, may be narrowed and the coupling guide protrusions 805 may be omitted. However, since the first surfaces 804 a and the water leak guide groove 804 cs are identically provided (as on the other side), any leaked water may not pass over the spot formed through the water leak guide grooves 804 c. That is, the control unit 810 disposed in the control unit installation part 809 will not be affected by the leaked water.

The rear panel 800 may include the control unit 810 for controlling the overall function of the wall mounted washing machine 10 and a drain unit 820 for discharging the wash water from the tub 700.

The control unit 810 may be installed in the control unit installation part 809 of the front surface of the rear panel 800 to control various components of the wall mounted washing machine 10 and to perform the washing cycles according to a user's operation. In this embodiment, the control unit 810 is provided on the right side of the tub 700 with reference to the drawing, but the position of the control unit 810 is not limited thereto.

A power supply line 904 may be connected to the external power source to supply power to the electric equipment, the control unit 810, the driving motor 910, and the like described above. The power supply line 904 may extend through the rear panel 800 to the front of the rear panel 800 and may extend outwardly from the rear of the rear panel 800. In this case, the power supply line 904 may be fixed to the rear surface of the rear panel 800 through a separate fixing means. As the power supply line 904 is provided extending outwardly from the rear surface of the rear panel 800, the washing machine 10 may have a finished or pleasing appearance.

The drain unit 820 may be provided under the rear panel 800. The drain unit 820 may discharge any wash water inside the tub 700 to the outside and may be disposed on the lower surface of the front surface of the rear panel 800. In this case, the drain unit 820 may include a drain pump for pressurizing the wash water and may be connected to the drain hose 902 to discharge the wash water. Specifically, the drain hose 902 is connected to the drain unit 820 and extends outward along the rear surface of the rear panel 800, so that the wash water may flow through the pressure of the drain unit 820. Thus, when the drain unit 820 is operated after the washing cycle is completed, the wash water may be discharged to the outside of the cabinet 100 through the drain hose 902 under the pressure change of the drain unit 820.

In addition, the rear panel 800 includes a driving motor 910 for transmitting a driving force, a first pulley 912 and a second pulley 914 connected to the driving motor 910, a drum rotation shaft 916 connected to the second pulley 914 to rotate the drum 600, and a belt 918 for connecting the first pulley 912 and the second pulley 914.

Specifically, the driving motor 910 may be provided on the front surface of the rear panel 800. The driving motor 910 may be controlled by the control unit 810 and may be provided on one side of the control unit 810 and the drain unit 820.

In addition, the driving motor 910 may be connected to the first pulley 912. In this case, a shaft (not shown) of the driving motor 910 may be provided through the rear panel 800 and a shaft (not shown) of the driving motor 910 on the rear surface of the rear panel 800 may be connected with the first pulley 912.

The first pulley 912 may be connected to the second pulley 914 via the belt 918. The second pulley 914 may be provided to wrap around a drum rotation shaft 916 connected to a spider 680 and the drum rotation shaft 916 may pass through the rear panel 800 while being connected to the spider 680. That is, the second pulley 914 and the drum rotation shaft 916 may be connected to each other on the rear surface of the rear panel 800.

In summary, when the wash water is filled in the tub 700 through the fitting 440, the control unit 810 may operate the driving motor 910. Subsequently, the first pulley 912 connected to the driving motor 910 may be rotated, and the second pulley 914 may be then rotated by the rotation of the first pulley 912. Thus, the drum rotation shaft 916 connected to the second pulley 914 may also rotate so that the drum 600 may be rotated inside the cabinet 100 and the tub 700. Consequently, the laundry inside the drum 600 may be washed.

On the other hand, the rear panel 800 may further include an exhaust line 920. The exhaust line 920 may be connected to the drain unit 820 and may exhaust air inside the tub 700 and the drain unit 820. Specifically, the exhaust line 920 may be connected to the drain hose 902 and pass through the rear panel 800, through which it may extend to the rear surface of the rear panel 800 and be exhausted to the outside.

The wall-mounted washing machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be used as follows.

First, the user may open the door 200, and may load the laundry inside the drum 600 and unload the detergent container 500 from the front panel 400. In this case, the detergent container 500 is divided in the center, so that a space for loading detergent and conditioner, respectively, may be provided.

After inserting the detergent container 500 loaded with the detergent and conditioner back into the front panel 400, the user may close the door 200 and control the laundry operation via the power button 102 and the display 202. When the washing cycle is started, the wash water provided from an external water supplying source through the water supply valve assembly 480 may be supplied to the detergent container 500 through the fitting 440, and the wash water may be supplied into the drum 600 and tub 700 after passing the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner input space 506. That is, the wash water filled in the drum 600 and the tub 700 may optionally include detergent and conditioner.

When the tub 700 is fully filed with the wash water, the control unit 810 may drive the driving motor 910. In this case, the driving motor 910 may be connected to the first pulley 912 and the second pulley 914, and the second pulley 914 may be connected to the drum 600 through the drum rotation shaft 916. Thus, the drum 600 may be rotated through the driving motor 910. Consequently, the laundry loaded in the drum 600 may be easily washed by the rotation of the drum 600.

In addition, the washing machine 10 may be provided with a structure in which the tub 700 and the rear panel 800 are integrally formed, and the cabinet 100 and the rear panel 800 are coupled. Specifically, the rear panel connection parts 106 of the cabinet 100 may be supported by the cabinet fixing parts 804 of the rear panel 800 and the coupling guide protrusions 805 may be mounted on one side of the cabinet fixing parts 804 so that an elastic force may be applied to the cabinet 100. Accordingly, the cabinet 100 may be fitted to the cabinet fixing parts 804 with the elastic force in a flared state, such that the cabinet 100 may be firmly fixed to the rear panel 800. As mentioned above, the cabinet fixing parts 804 may include the first surfaces 804 a provided with a predetermined distance from the rear panel connection parts 106, the second surfaces 804 b provided perpendicular to the first surfaces 804 a, and the water leak guide grooves 804 c provided at points where the first surfaces 804 a and the second surfaces 804 b intersect with each other. The coupling guide protrusions 805 may be provided to protrude from the second surfaces 804 b.

Since the rear panel connection parts 106 and the first surfaces 804 a are provided at a predetermined distance, the water outside the washing machine 10 may leak or otherwise penetrate into the separated space. Any of the water infiltrating into the gap between the rear panel connection parts 106 and the first surfaces 804 a may flow into the water leak guide grooves 804 c, and the water penetrating into the water leak guide grooves 804 c may be guided downward in the edge portion 803 and flow outside the washing machine 10. That is, the problem of water leaking between the cabinet 100 and the rear panel 800 is advantageously prevented.

In addition, the spots may be formed in the front direction of the rear panel 800 by the water leak guide grooves 804 c. As a result, any water penetrating from the outside does not pass over the spot formed through the water leak guide grooves 804 c, so that the electric components such as the control unit 810 disposed around the tub 700 may be protected from any water leakage.

As described above, in accordance with the wall-mounted washing machine and the rear panel thereof according to the embodiments of the disclosure it is possible to prevent the unwanted water leaking between the cabinet and the rear panel.

As set forth above, while the present disclosure has been described in connection with a wall mounted washing machine and a rear panel thereof, it is merely an example and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. It should be construed that the present disclosure has the widest range in compliance with the basic idea disclosed in the disclosure. Although it is possible for those skilled in the art to combine and substitute the disclosed embodiments to embody the other types that are not specifically disclosed in the disclosure, they do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure as well. In addition, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made with respect to the disclosed embodiments based on the disclosure in easy and these changes and modifications also fall within the scope of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wall mounted washing machine comprising: a rear panel operable to be mounted on a vertical surface; a tub supported on the rear panel, the tub for containing wash water; a front panel having an opening and disposed in the tub; a drum rotatably installed in the tub; a cover covering the front panel; a door rotatably coupled to the cover for selectively opening and closing a laundry inlet of the cover; and a cabinet having front and rear surfaces, the cabinet comprising rear panel connection parts connected to the rear panel and enclosing the tub, and wherein the rear panel comprises: an edge portion operable to be in close contact with the vertical surface; and cabinet fixing parts having a stepped shape and disposed at an end portion on a front surface side of the edge portion and operable to support the rear panel connection parts, wherein further the cabinet fixing parts comprising guide grooves for guiding downward any water leaking through a gap between the cabinet and the cabinet fixing parts and to guide the water below the edge portion.
 2. The wall mounted washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the guide grooves are formed along the edge portion.
 3. The wall mounted washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the cabinet fixing parts comprise, at predetermined spaced intervals, coupling guide protrusions what are operable to apply an elastic force to the cabinet.
 4. The wall mounted washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the coupling guide protrusions comprise inclined surfaces in a front thereof.
 5. The wall mounted washing machine according to claim 4, wherein a side of the cabinet comprises bolt fastening holes and a side of the coupling guide protrusions comprise bolt insertion holes, wherein the cabinet and the rear panel are bolted together using said bolt fastening holes and said bolt insertion holes.
 6. The wall mounted washing machine according to claim 3, wherein a side of the front surface of the rear panel comprises a control unit installation part, and wherein the control unit installation part is free of any coupling guide protrusions.
 7. The wall mounted washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the guide grooves are recessed and formed toward a center of the rear panel.
 8. A wall mounted washing machine comprising: a rear panel operable for wall mounting; cabinet fixing parts formed around the rear panel; a tub supported on the rear panel and operable to contain wash water; a front panel having an opening formed therein and installed in the tub; a drum rotatably installed in the tub; a cover for covering the front panel; a door rotatably coupled to the cover and for selectively opening and closing an inlet of the cover; and a cabinet enclosing the tub and comprising rear panel connection parts at a rear surface side edge thereof and coupled to the rear panel, wherein the rear panel connection parts are bolted to the cabinet fixing parts, wherein the cabinet fixing parts comprise guide grooves recessed in a center direction of the rear panel, and wherein further spots are formed in a front direction of the rear panel by the guide grooves wherein water leaked into a gap between the rear panel connection parts and the cabinet fixing parts is prevented from flowing to the front of the rear panel.
 9. The wall mounted washing machine according to claim 8, wherein rear end portions of the rear panel connection parts are spaced apart from the cabinet fixing parts by a predetermined distance, and wherein further the guide grooves are disposed inside a center of the rear panel.
 10. The wall mounted washing machine according to claim 8, wherein outer surfaces of the rear panel connection parts are coplanar with an outer surface of the rear panel.
 11. The wall mounted washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the cabinet comprises bolt fastening holes, and wherein further the rear panel comprises bolt insertion holes for coupling together the cabinet and the rear panel, and wherein the cabinet and the rear panel are coupled to each other in front of the guide grooves.
 12. A rear panel of a wall mounted washing machine, the wall mounted washing machine including: a cabinet comprising rear panel connection parts formed along a rear surface thereof; and a tub operable to be filled with wash water, wherein the rear panel is operable to be mounted on the cabinet, the rear panel comprising: an edge portion operable to be fixed to a wall; and cabinet fixing parts formed in a stepped shape and disposed at an end portion on a front surface side of the edge portion and operable to support the rear panel connection parts, wherein each of the cabinet fixing parts comprises: a first surface formed substantially parallel to the wall; a second surface extended forward at an angle with the first surface; and a guide groove recessed and formed toward a center of the rear panel between the first surface and the second surface.
 13. The rear panel according to claim 12, wherein the first surface and the second surface are disposed in a vertical orientation.
 14. The rear panel according to claim 12, wherein the rear panel connection parts are disposed spaced apart from the first surface, and the guide grooves are disposed inside a center direction of the rear panel.
 15. The rear panel according to claim 12, wherein a front of the second surface is provided with a coupling guide protrusion to apply an elastic force to the cabinet.
 16. The rear panel according to claim 15, wherein the coupling guide protrusion comprises an inclined surface in a front thereof.
 17. The rear panel according to claim 12, wherein the guide grooves are formed along a periphery of the edge portion.
 18. The rear panel according to claim 12, wherein a front surface of the edge portion comprises a control unit installation part where a control unit is located, and wherein further the guide grooves are formed with a spot on the second surface to prevent water from flowing into the control unit. 